Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas That Thrive in Wyoming’s Climate
Living in Cody, Wyoming means you deal with unpredictable weather, short growing seasons, and water restrictions. If you want a beautiful yard without constant upkeep, low-maintenance landscaping is the way to go.
Smart landscaping not only saves you time and money—it also ensures your yard stays attractive year-round despite drought, wind, and heavy snow. Here are the best ideas we recommend for homes in Cody and the Big Horn Basin.
1. Use Native Plants
Plants that are native to Wyoming are already adapted to our soil, moisture, and climate conditions. That means they require less water, less fertilizer, and are more resistant to pests and diseases.
Popular options include:
- Yarrow
- Rocky Mountain penstemon
- Buffalo grass
- Rabbitbrush
- Serviceberry shrubs
Native plants also attract pollinators and birds, adding life to your yard naturally.
2. Choose Drought-Tolerant Ground Cover
Instead of relying on a traditional high-maintenance lawn, consider using ground covers that require little water and almost no mowing. Options like creeping thyme, sedum, or low-growing junipers work well in full sun and poor soil.
These provide green coverage without the hassle of weekly watering or weed battles.
3. Go Heavy on Mulch and Rock Beds
Mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and protect plant roots from extreme temperatures. In Cody, mulch is especially helpful during dry summers and frozen winters. You can use natural wood mulch or opt for decorative gravel or crushed stone for a cleaner look.
Rock beds are another great alternative to lawn or bare soil. They’re wind-resistant, need no watering, and can be used to outline paths, trees, and garden features.
4. Install Drip Irrigation or Soaker Hoses
Forget dragging sprinklers around the yard. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses deliver water right to the root zone, reducing waste and evaporation. These systems are easy to install, inexpensive to maintain, and ideal for Wyoming’s water-conscious environment.
Use a timer to automate watering early in the morning—perfect for keeping things green with minimal effort.
5. Use Raised Beds for Easy Planting
Raised garden beds make it easier to control soil quality, manage drainage, and reduce weed invasion. They also warm up earlier in spring and drain better in heavy rain or snowmelt, giving you a longer and more productive growing season.
Build raised beds with cedar or composite materials, and add native flowers, herbs, or hardy vegetables for a splash of color and function.
6. Reduce Lawn Size
Lawns require the most maintenance of any landscape feature. By reducing the total lawn area and replacing it with rock gardens, patios, or native plant beds, you’ll drastically cut down on water use, mowing, and fertilizing.
Install a curved path through your space to create visual interest and make the reduced lawn feel more intentional.
7. Add Wind-Resistant Plants and Features
Wyoming winds are no joke. Choose hardy trees and shrubs that can withstand gusts and snow loads, like junipers, spruces, and chokecherry. Strategic planting can also serve as a windbreak, protecting more delicate plants behind them.
For decorative elements, choose heavier or anchored features that won’t blow over—like stone benches, planters, or metal sculptures.
Let Us Design Your Low-Maintenance Yard
At Freedom Exterior Services, we help homeowners across Cody and the Big Horn Basin design practical, attractive outdoor spaces that look great all year—and don’t require full-time work to maintain.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to simplify an existing landscape, we’ll build a plan that fits your lifestyle, budget, and Wyoming’s wild weather.
Contact us today to schedule a seasonal landscaping consultation. Let’s build a beautiful yard that works for you, not the other way around.
